Observation-tower



J. B. STRAUSS.

OBSERVATION TOWER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 28,1914. 1,328,461; Patented Jan. 20, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

, Jasgmfiazka v55 J. B. STRAUSS.

OBSERVAHON TOWER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 28.1914.

1,328,461, Patented Jan. 20, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wwmiw J. B. STRAUSS.

OBSERVAI ION TOWER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 28, 1914.

1,328,461 Patented Jan. 20, 1920i 3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

FD STATES JOSEPH B. STRAUSS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

OBSERVATION-TOWER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 20, 1920.

Application filed December 28, 1914. Serial No. 879,319.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, J osnrn B. STRAUss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Observation-Towers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to observation towers for use either in the day time or in the night time and has for its object to provide a new and improved device of this description that is normally down and can be easily and quickly lifted to a substantially Vertical position while the observations are being made and can then be returned to its safety position.

This tower can be used, for example, in coast defenses and arranged so that it can be normally out of sight and can be easily and quickly thrown up and observations made with a search light at the upper end thereof and can then be brought down to its concealed position. The device may also be used as a mast for a vessel, which will be substantially flat on the deck when not in use and can be easily and quickly moved up to its operative position and moved back to its safety position. The device may also be located upon a truck and used in the field and moved from place to place, the tower being thrown up when it is desired to make observations.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a side elevation of one form of device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view of the upper part of the device shown in Fig. 1 as seen on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation in part section, of the upper end of the device shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detailed view showing the device for locking the carrying device when in its down position, to a fixed part; I

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 4, with parts broken away;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing a portable device;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8' is a view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the electric circuits for the motors and light used in connection with the construction of Fig. 6.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several figures.

Referring now to the construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, there is pro vided a suitable base or support 1 upon which a movable tower arm 2 is movably mounted. As shown in the drawings, this support consists of two elements, one at each side, and the tower arm 2 is pivoted to these elements by means of trunnions 3. The tower arm 2 is provided with some means for moving it. As herein shown, there is a rack 4 connected with the tower arm and this rack is engaged by a pinion 5 on a shaft containing the gear 6, which gear meshes with a pinion 6 on the shaft of a motor 7 preferably located in the machinery house 7. At the other end of the tower arm is a suitable platform or carrying device 8, adapted to carry all observers and the observation appliances. This carrying device is preferably pivotally connected with the tower arm, the arm being provided with the two branches 9, the carrying device connected with said branches by the trunnions or pins 10. The pins are connected with the carrying device at points above the base thereof, the space between the branches 9 being free so as to permit the carrying device to rotate about said pins as the arm is lifted and lowered. In the construction shown, the platform or base of the carrying device is provided on opposite sides with inverted V-shaped hangers (see Figs. 1, 3 and 6) which project upwardly to a point near the top of the inclosing device on the base or platform, and the trunnions or pins 10 are connected with these hangers. These hangers are provided with knee braces (see Fig. 2) the knee braces being connected with the hangers and extending diagonally downward and connecting with the platform as illustrated in said Fig. 2. Some means is provided for keeping the platform or carrying device in a horizontal position during all of the various positions of the tower-arm. As herein shown, this result is secured by means of one or more controlling devices or arms 11, one at each side, the arms being pivotally connected at 12 with the carrying device and at 13 with the support 1, the connections 4 at the two ends of the arms being at one side of the trunnions at the two ends of the tower arm. The arms 11 are connected with the tower arm 2 at one or more points by the links 14. The tower arm 2 has a tail end piece 16 which projects beyond the trunnions 3 and to which is connected a counterweight 17, the counterweight being pivotally connected thereto by the trunnions 18. A counterweight link 19 also connects the counterweight with the support 1. The said counterweight link keeps the counterweight in a horizontal position during all the various movements of the tower arm. When a large search-light is to be used, the carrying device is preferably provided with rails 20 and the search light 21 is placed upon a truck 22 having wheels 23, which run upon the rails 20 (see Fig. By this means the search-light can be kept in a shelter house 24 (see Fig. 1), the truck being run into this shelter-house on the rails 25 which connect with the rails 20. When it is desired to use the search-light the truck is run out on to the carrying device 8. Some suitable means is provided for locking the truck to the carrying device and for locking the carry-- ing device to a fixed part when the platform is moved to its down position and the search-light and truck removed. In the drawings I have shown one locking device for performing both of these functions. This locking device consists of a lever 26 which is connected with a shaft 27. This shaft has connected therewith the truck engaging parts 28 which when the lever is in position shown in Fig. 3, are moved up to engage some part of the truck, as for eX ample, the axle (see Fig. 2), and prevent its movement from the carrying device. When the truck is run on the platform it is moved until it engages the fixed stops 29 and it is held between the stops 29 and the engaging parts 28. When the carrying device is in its down position, and it is desired to release the truck the lever 26 is moved so as to rock the shaft 27 and move the engaging parts 28 out of the way of the truck. This same movement of the shaft 27 moves the arm 30 to which is connected the locking pin 31. This locking pin passes through guiding devices 32 on the platform or carrying device and also through a locking part 33 fastened to a fiXed device, and the locking part 34 fastened to the carrying device. Nhen the shaft 27 is rocked to move the engaging parts 28 out of the way of the truck, the locking pin 31 is moved into locking position with the locking parts 33 and 34 so as to .is made up of a plurality of sections.

hold the carrying device down after the truck and search-light are removed. The removal of the truck and search-light causes the arm to be unbalanced, and hence it is necessary to hold it down. There may be two arms 30 and associated pins 31 if desired. It will thus be seen that the lever 26 and its associated parts perform two functions, one to lock the truck to the carrying device, and the other to lock the carrying device to a fixed part.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8 I have shown a portable device wherein the tower-arm 2 is made adjustable and is mounted upon a-suitable truck so that it can be moved from place to place. In this construction the tower arm For purposes of illustration 1 have shown it as made up of two sections 35 and 36, adapted to move with relation to each other so that the may be collapsed or extended to shorten or lengthen the tower arm. Any suitable means may be used for moving the sections of the tower" arm with relation to each other. As herein shown, one section, the section 35, is provided with a rack 37 the other section 36 has movably mounted thereon a pinion 38 which engages the rack 37. This pinion is driven by a belt 39, which engages a driving wheel 40 connected with the pinion 38. The belt 39 is driven by a motor 41 mounted on the tower arm. The controlling arm 11 must also be made adjustable. As herein shown, this controlling arm is made in a plurality of sections and like the tower arm, namely, sections 42 and 43. The section 42 is provided with a rack 44, which is engaged by a pinion 45 carried by the section 43 through the bracket 46. The pinion 45 is driven by the belt 47, which is driven from the motor 41 through the belt 39 and the driving wheel 48. It will be seen, therefore, that when the motor 41 is actuated in one direction it will cause the sections of the tower arm and the controlling arm to move toward each other and thereby overlapping and shortening the tower arm, and that when the motor 41 is actuated in the opposite direction it will move the tower sections and the controlling arm sections back to their initial position so as to lengthen the tower. The two sections are located in any given position by the driving action when the motor is stopped. The frame 1 for the tower arm in this construction is mounted upon the truck 49, which is driven by the motor 50, said motor connecting with the differential housing 51 in the usual manner. The current for tl motors 7, 41 and 50 is provided by an elec tric generator 52. This electric generator is mounted inside of the counterweight l7 and is driven by an engine 53, also mounted in said counterweight, the engine being preferably an internal combustion englne.

By this means the generator and engine are used to form a part of the counterweight, and hence no extra weight is produced on account of them and no extra room is necessary in which to locate them. The truck 49 may also be provided with the counterweight box 54, which may be used to carry additional counterweight to be added to or removed from the counterweight proper a the tower arm is lengthened or shortenet. This counterweight box is located back of the tower arm and also helps to balance the truck.

In Fig. 9 I have shown one form of diagram of circuits for the generator 52 and the search-light 21 and the motors 7, a1 and 50. It is of course evident that any desired arrangement of circuits may be used. With the construction shown in Fig. 6 the observation tower may be moved from place to place as desired. In moving the tower it may be collapsed so as to shorten it, and it may then be moved to its vertical position and lengthened as desired until its maximum length is secured. The truck 49 may be of any desired construction, and I have shown it as an automobile truck run by a motor and having the usual steering post 49.

It will be noted that the tower can be raised and lowered while the observers are on the platform 8, and while observations are being made. hen the portable tower is down it is often desirable to have the search-light or other device on the carrying device 8 arranged so that it will not be projecting upwardly, for when in this position it may be liable to injury and forms a better target for the enemy. In order to change he position of the searchdight when the tower is down, I provide a removable connection between the arm 11 and the carry ing device 8. such for example, as the pin 11. It will be seen that by removing this pin the portable device may be turned upside down so that the search-light will be beneath it and thereby be protected.

I claim:

1. An observation tower comprising a support, a tower arm pivotally connected therewith said tower arm made up of a plurality of sections adapted to be moved relatively to lengthen and shorten the tower, a carrying device pivotally connected with the outer end of said tower, and means for holding the said carrying device so that the base thereof will be substantially horizontal in all the various positions of the arm comprising an adjustable connection extending between said carrying device and a fixed part on said support, and means for simultaneously moving the sections of the tower relatively and adjusting said connection to lengthen or shorten the tower.

2. An observation device comprising a support, a tower arm made up of plurality of sections adapted to be moved relatively to lengthen or shorten the tower, the lower section of said tower being rotatably mounted upon said support, a carrying device pivotally connected to the upper section of said tower by two pivotal connections, one on each side thereof, an adjustable connecting device connecting said carrying de vice to the fixed part near the bottom of the tower, and which holds said carrying device substantially horizontal during all the various positions of the tower, mechanism for moving the sections of the tower relatively to lengthen or shorten the tower, and means for automatically adjusting said connecting device to compensate for the lengthenin and shortening of said tower.

3. An 0 servation device comprising a tower, having two sections, a support to which one section is pivotally connected, each of said sections having a plurality of metal angular pieces, one at each corner thereof, connecting pieces connecting the angular pieces of each section together to form the sections, the angular pieces of one section overlapping the angular pieces of the adjacent section to form sliding connection, and means for sliding the angular pieces of one section along the angular pieces of the adjacent section, to lengthen or shorten the tower.

4:. An observation device comprising a support, a tower arm rotatably mounted on said support, and having two sections adapted to be moved relatively to lengthen and shorten the tower arm, a carrying device movably connected to the upper section of the tower arm, a controlling arm for keeping the carrying device in a substantially horizontal position during all the various positions of the tower arm, said controlling arm having two relatively movable sections one connected with the carrying device and the other connected with a fixed part near the bottom of the other arm, tooth racks associated with the upper section of said tower arm and said means for simultaneously driving said pinions so as to simultaneously move relatively the sections of said tower arm and the sections of said controlling arm to vary the height of said controlling device.

5. An observation tower comprising a tower arm, a portable device upon which said tower arm is pivotally mounted, a carrying device pivotally connected with the outer end of said tower arm, a controlling arm pivotally connected with said carrying device and said portable device, the tower arm and controlling arm being made in sections, and means for moving said sections relatively so as to shorten and lengthen the tower arm.

6. An observation tower comprising a tower arm made in sections, a supporting device upon which said tower arm is pivotally mounted, a carrying device pivotally connected with the outer end of said tower arm, a controlling device connected with said carrying device and said supporting device and means controlled from the bottom of the tower for moving the controlling de 10 vice and the sections of said tower arm relatively While the tower is in use, so as to vary the height of the carryin device.

In testimony whereof, faffix my signature in the resence of two witnesses this 22nd day of ecember, 19M.

JOSEPH B. STRAUSS. Witnesses:

MINNIE M. LINDENAU, ELLA THIEME. 

